Register system for watchmen



June 11, 1940.

E. L. OVERSTREET El AL REGISTER SYSTEM FOR WATCHMEN Filed July 24, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ELOVERSTREET. m E.L.HRI

a iij meomk ATTORNEYS.

June 11,1940.

E. L. OVERSTREET ET AL ,7 REGISTER SYSTEM FOR WATCHMEN Filed July 24, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. E LOVERSTR EET BY E.L.HARRI5 Patented June 11, 1940 PATENT I OFFICE 2,203,741 REGISTER SYSTEM FOR WATCHMEN.

Elvin 1.. Overstreet, Houston, and Emil L. Harris, Park Place, Tex.

Application July 24, 1936, Serial No. 92,404

9 Claims. (01. 177-360) UNITED STATES .The invention relates to an improvement in the construction, arrangement and operation of the key member signal device which is. used in connection with register. systems wherein a sigynal is transmitted by a key mechanism only after ithas beenset by insertion in a plurality of spaced sockets and has its particular application.

to a watchmans register service. i

tion whereby a signal is transmitted to a central ofiice for recording to indicate that the watchman has transmitted his signal. The watchman isthen provided with a key of the general type shown in said patent which key carries a plurality oftumblers which can be moved step by step from an initial position to a final position by.

to insert the key in every stationas he passes so that each insertion causes the key to be moved one step. There are a similar number of steps provided in the key in accordance with thenumber of stations to be used on that particular lo ca tion, so that by the time the watchman has misleading report sent in to the centralstation and so that the watchman is absolutely compelled to traverse his beat. The presentarrange- [mer t and construction has been devised because it has been found that. in actual. practice the keys. and the stations have been tampered with by the watchmen in such a manner that the key could be manipulated to transmit thelproper signal to the central station without as a matter of fact. having traversed his beat or .having inserted the key in each of the various stations.

It isone of the objects of the present invention to revise and rearrange the construction and operation of the key member shown in the Johne This arrangement is presumed.

son Patent 1,394,84050 that the tumbler of. such key can only be manipulated by insertion in a sequence of sockets.

. Another object of the invention is to provide a register station wherein the key cannot be turned backwardly. in the station or removed except by making a proper manipulation thereof. 2 Still another object of the invention is to provide a register key construction wherein. the parts are anchored firmly and securely against misuse. i

Still another object of the invention is to provide a stop collar which is anchored securely upon the sleeve member of aregister key.

Still another object of the invention is toprovide a safety lock in connection with register keys so that ifan attempt is made to misuse the key it will be locked in position against further use.

. Still another object of the invention is to provide a locking rivetin combination with the parts i of a register key to prevent end play of the parts.

Still another object of the invention is to pro vide elongated openings for the tumbler members in a register key so that a slight mis-alignment of the parts will not interfere with the practical operation thereof.

Other and further objects of the invention will be readily apparent when the following description is considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

-Fig. 1 is a side elevation of aregister key constructed in accordance with the invention showing certain portions in section to illustrate the improvements over the prior art.

Fig. 2 is an end view of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 Ba vertical sectional view taken through the inner sleeve member of the key.

Fig. 4 is an end view of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the middle sleeve member of the key construction.

Fig. 6 is an end view of Fig. 5. Fig.7 is a broken sectional view of a modified form of the inner sleeve member which is provided with guide registers to prevent misuse of the key. i g

i Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the end of the key member showing the parts of the present invention and illustrating a safety locking device therewith. r

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view of the station and socket member in which the key is to be inserted.

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the socket member with certain portions broken away to illustrate the construction thereof.

sleeve member showing the elongated openings which may be provided to insure proper operation of the key.

The key member is best seen in Fig. 1 and includes a handle 2 which has the shaft 3 thereon upon which the balance of the parts of the key are to be fixed.

Telescoped over the body 3 is what may be termed the inner sleeve of the key member 4 This inn'er sleeve is of peculiar construction in that it has a body portion 5 with a reduced end 6 thereon which is arranged with an opening "5 therein to telescope over the body 3' of the key handle. Opposed openings 8-: are provided in this reduced portion Sand are arranged to receive a through-bolt 6 so that the sleeve 4 will be securely anchored to the body portion 3 and incapable of any sliding or rotating movement relative to the body 3 It is imperative that this sleeve. be securely anchored to the body.

A shoulder II is provided between the reduced area 6 and the body portion 5. The inside of the stood that it may be made integral therewith or occasion may require. It is important, however,

sleeve 4' is cut away at 12 to provide a thin sleeve-- like portion l3. length as best seen in Fig. 3 and is" provided with a plurality of openings l l'therein. These openings'are preferably elliptical in form as best seen in Fig. 11. The elliptical form of opening has been provided so that any variation in the position of the tumbler which is to enter the hole will not interfere with its operation.

The openings M'willi bearranged in any de sired sequence or combination in order to obtain various sets of signals andin order that one key may not be used ina foreignset of stations.

Adjacent the right endof the sleeve 4, as seen in Fig. 3, a stopcollar 2 6' has been securely anchored. This stop collar is shown as being fixed to the end of the sleeve but it is to be undermay be-affixed by welding, brazing, or riveting as Mounted on the sleeve 4' and secured thereto adjacent collar 20 is a ringmember 30'. astis clearly shown in Figs. 5 and *8. This; ring is provided with longitudinal grooves in its'surface, which grooves extend but a portion of the length of the ring. The ring is secured to the sleeve 4 in such a manner that the respective grooves are'in alignment with the respective "series of openings in sleeve 4. Thepurpose of the provision of this ring. will be made apparent as the, disclosure progresses.

Akey stopv 26 is shown as projecting fromthe end of the sleeve 4. 5

.The next element to be assembled on theconstruction is themiddle sleeve 30 which is best seen in Fig. 5. This. middle sleeve is shown together with ring 30' in Fig. 5 and is shorter than the inner sleeve 4. Sleeve 33 is of uniform thickness throughoutits length except for' the stop shoulder 31 at the left-hand end on the outside and the inner stop shoulder 32 which definesthe difference in diameter between the central pas-' sage 33 and the end passage- 34 thereof; This This portion is of considerable i Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of a part of the .9 and. prevent any end play between the sleeves 4 and 36.

The middle sleeve 30 has a plurality of openings 38 therein which serve to keep the tumblers 39' in proper alignment and to serve as a guide for the radial movement of the plungers as they move into and out of the openings M in the inner sleeve. it being understood that the inner and middle sleeves are relatively rotatable so that the tumblers 39 can be moved over the openings H1 in obtaining different fittings or combinations of the keys.

The enlarged end or head 39 of the middle sleeve isprovided with an annular groove 40 which is arranged to receive the set pins 4| whereby outer sleeve is anchored thereto. This sleeve is formed with enlarged collar portion which carries the indicia 56 to indicate the setting of the key. The skirt portion 51 on sleeve 56 overlies the head 39- of the middle sleeve and is formed with opposed openings 58 to receive the through-bolt. Openings 59 are also provided in the skirt 5'! to receive the set pins 41 which fit into the groove 46 of the middle sleeve.

The sleeve 5| is a continuation of outer sleeve 50' and is a particular construction asisbest seen in Fig. 1 wherein such sleeve'is shown as telescoped over the outer surface of the middle sleeve 3!! before the middle sleeve is telescoped over the inner sleeve 4. This outer sleeve 5| has a tumbler housing 6| affixed thereto as seen in Fig. 1. This tumbler housing may be rigidly af-' fixed to the sleeve in any desired manner and may be made integral therewith and encloses the swings 62' which normally hold the tumbler 53 inwardly to moveinto the openings I4 when the middle sleeve is rotated relative to the inner sleeve. A

An auxiliary tumbler carrier member or lip 63 is rotatably supported on ring 30' and is held from longitudinal displacement by sleeve 5! and collar 20. This member carries a tumbler 65 which is so rotated relative to ring 30 that it is rotated into alignment with tumbler carrier member 6| when the key is to be inserted into the key station. If, however, the key has beentampered with orundue play'has arisen from: 65'

which guide tumbler members 53 in their rotasystem."

grooves 51 areprovided withopeningsthat are 09- extensive in width with the width of the groove, such openings being arranged in any desired se q uence orno'mbination inorder to obtamfl he combination of settings desiredfin thesignalj In 9 isshownian improved station 50m prising a part of this invention. This key station comprises a suitable housing 68 having base member 65 anda cover member 10 which is pro-j videdwith suitable openingfl l for insertion of the jkeyme mber above described The hasBQ j I is provided with a recess 12 jtoreeeive key stop 25 (when the key is insertedat the station and to limit rotative movement of the register the station. Insertion of the key into a key station willcause "the'ball tumblers 1.13 of the combina tion of that station to depress the corresponding "tumblers 53 in the housing 61. '"Guide springs 14 spring 14 and be withdrawn from the station until tumblers 53 are located inthe combination for which that station is set. When the handle 2 and associated parts areturned sufficientlycfor the tumblers 53 to engage theopenings in the inner sleeve 4, the handle, the sleeves and the housing become interlocked and the register may then be turned against the tension of the spring 14 until the tumblerhhousing 6! is in alignment with the opening'llj-of the key station whereupon the register can be withdrawn ready for insertion intothe next key station in which the above describedoperation is repeated. This feature efiectively prevents insertion of a key to release the tumblers and then slightly 'turning the handle to retainthe tumblers in released position preliminary to withdrawal and further setting of the key manually in order that a central station signal may be sent without a (complete traverse of the intervening key station.

While the foregoing is a description of the preferred form of our invention, we do not desire to be limited thereby but only by the appended claims interpreted in the light of the description.

What we claim as new is: l i

. 1. In a registry system a register comprising an outer cylindrical sleeve provided with inwardly,

spring pressed tumblers, a middle tumbler guiding sleeve within said outer sleeve and provided with ;a series of openings. into which said tumblers project, an inner cylindrical tumbler engaging sleeve rotatably mounted within said second sleeve, and a shoulderand pin connection between said sleeves and shank so arrange-d that the shank. and the sleeves are fixed againstrela tive axial displacement, said inner sleeve being provided with a series of axially elongated perforations tobe selectively engaged by the tumblers. i q

e 2. In a registry system a register comprising an outer cylindricalflsleeve provided with inwardly, spring pressed tumblers, a middle tumblerguiding sleeve within said outer sleeve and provided with a series of openings into which said tumblers project, an inner" cylindrical tumbler= engaging sleeve rotatably mounted within said second sleeve, said inner sleeve being provided with a series, of perforations to be selectively engaged.by'the tumblers, and a shoulder and pin connectionsecuring said sleeves in fixed 3. In a registry system,-the combination of a register having registering means comprising an inner cylindrical tumbler engaging member provided with elongated tumbler engaging openings corresponding to different registering positions,

tumbler carrying means rotatably mounted thereabout, a middle tumbler guiding sleeve inter mediate said member and meansfmeans for retaining said member and tumbler carrying means inassembled'relation, and means. for rendering the register inoperate upon relative axial movement of said member and tumbler guiding sleeve, said last mentioned means comprising an additional tumbler carrier rotatable about the middle tumbler guiding sleeve and adapted to'make lock mg engagement therewith upon predetermined relative axial displacement.

4. In a registry system, the combination of a register having registering means comprising a tumbler engaging member provided with tumbler f engaging openings in one portion of said member, said openings corresponding to different registering positions and tumbler engaging peripherally spaced grooves in another portion of said member, tumbler carrying means rotatably mounted about said first mentioned portion and a I second tumbler carrying means rotatably mounted about said grooved portion of said sleeve member, said last mentioned means having a tumbler; normally out of register with said grooves, said spaced grooves being adapted to receive the tumbler of the second tumbler carrying member upon axial displacement thereof relative to the member.

5. In a register. an inner cylindrical tumbler engaging sleeve provided with tumbler engaging openings and a reduced end section having a ,radial opening adjacent the end thereof, a

cylindrical tumbler guiding sleeve rotatably mounted upon said first mentioned sleeve, said guiding sleeve having an inwardly extending shoulder encircling the reduced end section of the tumbler engaging sleeve and contacting the shoulder formed by reduction of the end section, apin fixed in said radial opening at the end of said tumbler engaging sleeve whereby said sleeves are axially fixed in assembled relation, a tumbler carrying sleeve surrounding the guiding sleeve, and, a second tumbler carrying member surrounding the end of the tumbler guiding sleeve and havinga tumbler adapted to make locking engagement with the last mentioned sleeve upon relative axial movement therewith.

6. In a registry system a register comprising a tumbler carrying sleeve, a cylindrical tumbler engaging sleeve within the tumbler carrying sleeve, a tumbler guiding sleeve intermediate said sleeves, said tumbler engaging sleeve having openings to be engaged by the tumblers in the firstmentioned sleeve whereby the register is locked in predetermined position by station actuating means, a second tumbler carrying means coaxially positioned adjacent said firstmentioned sleeve and means for locking saidl second mentioned tumbler means in a fixed position upon axial displacement thereof from normal position.

'7. In a registry system a register comprising an outer cylindrical tumbler carrying sleeve, a middle tumbler; guiding'sleevewit-hin-saidsouter sleeve; and provided with a; series of openings: into which the tumblers project, a sleeve rotatably mounted within said guiding sleeve and, provided with openings to'be selectively engaged by the tumblers carried bysaid means, a second: tumbler carryingmeans rotatably mounted upon said last mentioned sleeve adjacent saidtumbler carrying sleeve,v and means for lockingsaidsecond tumbler carrying means in a fixed position upon longitudinal displacement thereof from normal position.

8. In a registry system, a register actuating station comprising a case, said case being provided on its inner end with a recess for receiving a lip on the end of the inner perforated sleeve of a register, a cylindrical member fixed within said station to enter the perforated sleeve of the register, said member having spring pressed ball tumblers for releasing the tumblers of a register inserted into said station and spring; means for engaging and'canting the tumbler carrying means of a register when the register is inserted into the station and" for, holdin thetumbler carryin meansin canted position until the carrier is locked in position-to be actuated by the next station. b

9*.In a'registryi system, a register having two tumbler carrying members, a middle tumbler guiding sleeve and an inner cylindrical tumbler register upon axialdisplacementof said means from normal position.

ELVIN L. OVERS'IREET; EMIL L. HARRIS. 

